Knights coach forced into embarrassing apology over fan criticism

Knights coach Adam O'Brien has issued a grovelling apology to the club's fanbase for comments he made about them in the aftermath of the side's incredible comeback win against Manly.

The Knights achieved a miraculous 26-22 victory against Sea-Eagles during golden point. This was after coming back from being 16-nil down at halftime.

During that half-time period, Newcastle fans could be heard collectively booing their team.

In his post-game press conference, O’Brien was critical of Newcastle fans for those jeers, saying that these fans “don’t know anything about rugby league”.

“It’s disappointing,” O’Brien stated.

"I know the scoreline is not what they want, but to boo the effort that went into that first half from a really young team.

“The people that booed don't know anything about rugby league and they are probably the ones that cheered at the end too.”

His comments did not go down well and on a day that everyone should have been talking about the impressive fightback, O'Brien was making headlines for all the wrong reasons.

"I want to address some comments I made last night in the press conference," he said on Friday morning.

"I apologise unreservedly to our members and fans that I offended, and I understand why they would be offended.

"I was under prepared for that question I was unaware there had been some booing.

"I went straight into protection mode for our players. It’s not an excuse I’m here to own it, that’s not how I feel about our members, we’re here because of them.

"They are an educated fanbase. They sit though all types of weather and scores with unwavering loyalty and I’ve sorry I’ve let them down with response.

"Hopefully over time I hope I can win back a bit of their respect because that’s not how I feel about them.

"They’re bigger than me and they have every right. We haven’t given them the performances lately to have them cheering.

"A lot has been going on for most of the year but I’m not here to make excuses I’m here to take ownership. I’ve let this overshadow poorly times comments."

EXPERTS HAVE THEIR SAY

SEN's Andrew Voss and Matty Russell had their say on O’Brien’s comments.

When asked by Voss whether fans should be allowed to boo their team’s performance, Russell was in firm support of the fans being allowed to do so.

“Absolutely,” Russell said on SEN 1170’s Breakfast.

“I have repeatedly said that the people of Newcastle, the Hunter are the best rugby league fans on the planet.

“When their team is running last, season after season, you still turn up and there’s still an atmosphere with more than 25,000 people there.

“Give me another club that could have three consecutive spoons and still attract 20,000 people as often as the Knights do.”

Voss would be in agreement with Russell and questioned why O’Brien felt the need to make an inflammatory comment about it.

“It’s a dark place for Newcastle, but for Adam O’Brien to say they don’t know footy?” Voss said.

“That’s a little inflammatory. I don’t know whether Adam would regret saying that today…you’re talking about a young team, like c’mon.

“What are we on about here.”

Newcastle’s next game will be against the Sydney Roosters at McDonald Jones Stadium next Saturday.